Sunday March 19, 2023

We try to keep the numbers on our hikes small, so they will be limited to 15-20 people. Please sign up if you plan to join us.

To volunteer to lead, send an email to hikes@coostrails.com.

Hike Description:   The whole hike goes from Sunset Bay Day Use Area, along the coast through Shore Acres up toward the Simpson Reef Overlook. From there we’ll continue to Simpson Reef and then cross the road to the Pack Trail connector, and on to Cape Arago. Then you can return either by the same route or along the road as far as the Simpson Reef overlook, returning the same way you came. The total hike is about 8.5 miles if we take the shortcuts across the field at Shore Acres and the group campground at Sunset Bay.

Short Hike–This will just go to Shore Acres and back. It will be under four miles, all pretty level. I need a volunteer to lead the short hike…or you will need to return on your own.

Another option–You can hike as far as Simpson Reef, and then return. This will be almost 8 miles, but it’s all level. You’ll be on your own for the return.

The line on the map shows the route we’ll be taking. Note that we’ll be avoiding the Pack Trail because of storm damage.

Other Information

Restrooms are available at Sunset Bay and Shore Acres. There is also a portajohn at Cape Arago.

For those on the long hike, we’ll be stopping for lunch at Cape Arago. We suggest you might want to snack at the Simpson Reef Overlook, because lunch will be later than usual.

Location and Time

Location and Time

Meet 9:30 am at Sunset Bay day use parking lot, near volley ball courts and restrooms at south end of Sunset Bay.  The short version of the hike will end before noon(unless you spend time in the gardens), and the long version at 2:30.

Driving Directions:  From Hwy 101 in downtown Coos Bay follow the signs 12.3 miles through Charleston to Sunset Bay State Park.  Park in the day use parking lot.

Remember to complete registration form.

Requires Registration–Registration Form

We will start at the Sunset Bay Day Use Area and follow the Coast Trail along the shoreline to Shore Acres. Those who want a short hike can then return to the Sunset Bay Parking lot by backtracking. The route for the short hike is in blue on the map below.

The addition for the longer hike is in green. After the Sunset Bay to Shore Acres leg, we will leave Shore Acres and proceed across the Cape Arago Highway to the Perimeter trail. We will follow the Perimeter Trail to the Cape Arago Pack Trail (about 2.2 miles). Then we will take the Pack trail down toward Simpson Beach, with a possible side trip to a nice overlook. Then wee will return to Shore Acres and take the old Shore Acres driveway back toward Sunset Back, backtracking (with a couple of shortcuts). The long hike will be about 8 miles, depending on detours and shortcuts.

Hike Guidelines

1. We will try to keep the groups small so it’s easy to keep track of hikers.
2. You will be asked to complete a registration form so that we can control the number.

Location and Time

Meet 9:30 am on Sunday, June 26 at the Sunset Bay day use parking lot, near volley ball courts and restrooms at south end of Sunset Bay. 

Driving Directions:  From Hwy 101 in downtown Coos Bay follow the signs 12.3 miles through Charleston to Sunset Bay State Park.  Park in the day use parking lot.

Show Map Location

Remember to complete registration form.

Requires Registration–Registration Form

This hike is limited to about 15 people, but if demand is high (and we have enough leaders) we can stagger start times, and there are multiple route options.

Hike Description:   Take a 2.5 mile one way trip from Cape Arago Point on the Arago Pack Trail toward Simpson Reef ( we will stop there briefly to check out the local wildlife…bring binoculars, if you have them) then along the Oregon Coast Trail to a point .25 miles S of Shore Acres Botanical Garden.

*Those wishing to end their hike here need to arrive a little early (8:30am) to set a vehicle beside the road .25 miles S of Shore Acres.

For those wanting a longer hike we will cross the highway and, depending on conditions, will take the Perimeter Trail and Arago Pack Trail (or just the Pack Trail) back to Arago Point for a total of 7.5 miles of hiking.   The Short hike is rated moderate and the long hike is rated moderate to difficult.   

There is also an intermediate length hike that will skip the Perimeter trail section and hike up the Pack Trail and back.

Plan on 2 hours for the short hike and 3-4 hours for the long hike.  Restrooms are at beginning and end of the long hike and a short drive from end of short hike.  Pack a lunch to enjoy along the way, or at the end.

Hike Guidelines

1. Hike groups will be limited to about 15 people.
2. You will be asked to complete a registration form so that we can control the number.
3. Hikers will be asked to maintain social distance on the trail
4. For the comfort of fellow hikers, unvaccinated hiders should have face covering that can be pulled up at tight spots on the trail
5. Hikers should step off the trail to let others pass

Location and Time

We will meet 9:30 at the Covered Pavilion at the end of the Arago Point loop for the hikes.

Remember to complete registration form.

Driving Directions:  From Hwy 101 in downtown Coos Bay follow the signs 12.3 miles through Charleston to Sunset Bay State Park.  Continue past Simpson Reef overlook to the covered Pavilion out on the point.

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Sunday April 25

Requires Registration–Registration Form

This hike is limited to 15 people, but if demand is high (and we have enough leaders) we can stagger start times. Also, there is a short hike option that goes from Sunset Bay to Shore Acres and back.

To volunteer to lead, send an email to hikes@coostrails.com.

Hike Description:   The whole hike goes from Sunset Bay Day Use Area, along the coast through Shore Acres up toward the Simpson Reef Overlook. From there we’ll continue to Simpson Reef and then cross the road to the Pack Trail connector, and on to Cape Arago. Then you can return either by the same route or along the road as far as the Simpson Reef overlook, returning the same way you came. The total hike is about 8.5 miles if we take the shortcuts across the field at Shore Acres and the group campground at Sunset Bay.

Short Hike–This will just go to Shore Acres and back. It will be under four miles, all pretty level. I need a volunteer to lead the short hike…or you will need to return on your own.

Another option–You can hike as far as Simpson Reef, and then return. This will be almost 8 miles, but it’s all level. You’ll be on your own for the return.

The line on the map shows the route we’ll be taking. Note that we’ll be avoiding the Pack Trail because of storm damage.

New Hike Guidelines

1. Hike groups will be limited to 15 people.
2. You will be asked to complete a registration form so that we can control the number.
3. Hikers will be asked to maintain social distance (as much as 10-12 feet) on the trail
4. Hikers will be asked to have face covering (like a bandana) that can be pulled up at tight spots on the trail
5. Hikers should step off the trail to let others pass

Other Information

The restrooms at the Sunset Bay Day use area were open the last time I hiked this. There are restrooms at Shore Acres (at about the 2.2 and 7 mile points of the hikes).

For those on the long hike, we’ll be stopping for lunch at Cape Arago. We suggest you might want to snack at the Simpson Reef Overlook, because lunch will be later than usual.

Location and Time

Location and Time

Meet 9:30 am at Sunset Bay day use parking lot, near volley ball courts and restrooms at south end of Sunset Bay.  The short version of the hike will end before noon(unless you spend time in the gardens), and the long version at 2:30.

Driving Directions:  From Hwy 101 in downtown Coos Bay follow the signs 12.3 miles through Charleston to Sunset Bay State Park.  Park in the day use parking lot.

Remember to complete registration form.

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Saturday August 22

Requires Registration–Registration Form

This hike is limited to 15 people, but if demand is high (and we have enough leaders) we can stagger start times. Also, there is a short hike option that goes from Sunset Bay to Shore Acres and back.

To volunteer to lead, send an email to hikes@coostrails.com.

Hike Description:   The whole hike goes from Sunset Bay Day Use Area, along the coast through Shore Acres up to the Simpson Reef Overlook. From there we’ll cross the road and follow a trail that meets the pack trail. We’ll go up (and down, then up again)the pack trail, and eventually we’ll turn onto the perimeter trail, which will take us back toward Shore Acres. From Shore Acres we’ll take a shorter route back to Sunset Bay. The total hike is 8.5 miles. The highest elevation is 570 feet, but because we go up and down, we’ll have 1000 feet of climbing.

Short Hike–This will just go to Shore Acres and back. It will be under four miles, all pretty level. I need a volunteer to lead the short hike…or you will need to return on your own.

Another option–You can hike as far as Simpson Reef, and then return. This will be almost 8 miles, but it’s all level. You’ll be on your own for the return.

New Hike Guidelines

1. Hike groups will be limited to 15 people.
2. You will be asked to complete a registration form so that we can control the number.
3. Hikers will be asked to maintain social distance (as much as 10-12 feet) on the trail
4. Hikers will be asked to have face covering (like a bandana) that can be pulled up at tight spots on the trail
5. Hikers should step off the trail to let others pass

Other Information

The restrooms at the Sunset Bay Day use area are closed, but the restrooms at the beach (just to the North are open, so stop there on the way in. There are restrooms at Shore Acres (at about the 2.2 and 7 mile points of the hikes).

For those on the long hike, we’ll be stopping for lunch at the junction with the perimeter trail. We suggest you might want to snack at the Simpson Reef Overlook, because lunch will be later than usual.

Location and Time

Location and Time

Meet 9:30 am at Sunset Bay day use parking lot, near volley ball courts and restrooms (closed) at south end of Sunset Bay.  The short version of the hike will end before noon(unless you spend time in the gardens), and the long version at 2:30.

Driving Directions:  From Hwy 101 in downtown Coos Bay follow the signs 12.3 miles through Charleston to Sunset Bay State Park.  Park in the day use parking lot.

Remember to complete registration form.

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